Meet the new players: Ellie Stewart

This is a feature getting to know the new members of the Ladies squad!

Which club did you join Rovers from?

Sunderland.

Any jobs alongside playing football?

I’m a P.E. teacher in a primary school. It’s a bit of an experience going from playing full-time football at Sunderland, but I’m getting used to it.

Where did you grow up?

In Allerton, a part of South Liverpool. I think you can tell by my accent; I’ve got a pretty strong scouse accent!

Which team do you support?

Liverpool. The one and only!

How did you get into playing football?

I started when I was four or five and then fell in love with it. I’ve never stopped playing since and here I am today. I come from a really sporty background as well. My mum handball for England, my dad played football and my brother played for Huddersfield. So I’ve always been involved in that sort of environment.

Do you have a nickname on the pitch?

No I don’t, well I used to. I lot of people call me Stewy, but none of the girls call me it here, so it’s a bit weird getting used to Ellie!

Any pre-match rituals?

Not really. I don’t like warming up, so you’ll probably see me strolling around. I’d rather just get out there and play the game.

Favourite pre-match meal?

Nothing particular, just whatever I’m fancying on the day. I had about six Weetabix this morning.

Career highlight – What is your most memorable moment on the pitch?

I’ve had quite a few ups and downs. Going to Everton, Liverpool, Sunderland and Blackburn at a young age, it’s kind of been a whirlwind. I’ve never really seen a happy moment in football, I’ve just got on with it.

Career ambitions – What do you want to achieve in the game?

Me and football have this love-hate relationship. Sometimes I feel like why do we even play and then there’s times when I feel this is the best thing ever. I can’t really give a target; I’ll just see where I end up.

Who is your football idol? Who did you aspire to be like growing up?

I don’t really watch football. I’m not too interested in it. If Liverpool are playing, I’ll watch it. But I’m not sitting there wishing I could be this person. I’ve never really looked up to anyone in the game. I always said I’ll just carry on concentrating on me.

Who is the best player you have played with?

Lucy Bronze from when I was at Liverpool. She’s just an unbelievable player. She’d run past you like you weren’t even there. Or Whitney Engen, the American international. She was there when I was at Liverpool. She had the work ethic and how she communicated on the pitch, she was the perfect centre-half in my eyes.

What is your favourite place to visit abroad? And where do you want to visit?

Probably Barbados. I spent my 18th birthday there and it was the best experience ever. I really want to go travelling around everywhere but it’s just trying to find the money to do it!

What is your star sign?

Scorpio. So I’ve got a few traits of the Scorpio. I’m pretty strong minded. If I don’t want to do it, I’m not doing it. But if I do want to do it, I’m going to do it properly.

Do you have any phobias?

Not really no. But then I can be the most stressed person you’ll ever meet. Everything bothers me, but I’m not scared of anything.

Do you play any musical instruments?

I used to play the flute in school. And I can play the drums as well which is pretty interesting. But that’s about it.

Do you have any pets?

I have two dogs. One’s a Shih Tzu called Mitzy and one’s a Cocker Spaniel called Sandra, which is a bit of an out-there name. But they’re both sweet.

What is your favourite film?

That’s a tough one. I don’t really watch films; I can’t sit down for that long. I get bored so I can’t concentrate on them and I never really watch the full film through. So I couldn’t give you an answer!